As of April 01, 2025, the average annual salary for a Speech Pathologist in the United States is $97,290. According to Salary.com, salaries can range from a low of $84,108 to a high of $108,562, with most professionals earning between $90,390 and $103,190.
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $103,190 | $8,599 | $1,984 | $50 |
| Average | $97,290 | $8,108 | $1,871 | $47 |
| 25th Percentile | $90,390 | $7,533 | $1,738 | $43 |
An entry-level Speech Pathologist with less than 1 year of experience earns about $95,539. With 1-2 years of experience, the average salary increases to $97,290. For 2-4 years of experience, the pay typically rises to $99,932. Senior-level professionals with 5-8 years of experience earn around $100,196, and those with over 8 years of experience can expect an average of $100,636.
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Speech Pathologist | $95,539 |
| Intermediate Level Speech Pathologist | $97,290 |
| Senior Level Speech Pathologist | $99,932 |
| Specialist Level Speech Pathologist | $100,196 |
| Expert Level Speech Pathologist | $100,636 |
| Entry Level | 2% |
| Mid Level | 0% |
| Senior Level | 3% |
| Top Level | 3% |
| Experienced | 3% |
Salaries in the United States differ widely between states due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
What Am I Worth?
Salaries in the United States can vary greatly between cities due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
As of April 01, 2025, our research reveals a significant shift in Speech Pathologist compensation over the past six years. For example, the median salary increased from $112,260 in 2023 to approximately $113,619 in 2024. (For a detailed analysis of Speech Pathologist salary trends, click here.)
Key factors like location, experience, industry demand, and economic growth significantly influence salary variations, making them important to consider.
Salary.com job board provides millions of Speech Pathologist information for you to search for. Click on search button below to see Speech Pathologist job openings or enter a new job title here.
Here are companies hiring for Speech Pathologist and their salaries, click below for more details.
| Core Compensation | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Base Salary | $97,290 | 72.7% | ||
| Bonus | $0 | 0.0% | ||
| Value of Benefits | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Social Security | $7,443 | 5.6% | ||
| 401K/403B | $4,767 | 3.6% | ||
| Disability | $1,557 | 1.2% | ||
| Healthcare | $6,371 | 4.8% | ||
| Pension | $4,086 | 3.1% | ||
| Time Off | $12,348 | 9.2% | ||
| Total Compensation | $133,862 | 100% | ||
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 0.2% |
| High School | 0.1% |
| Associates | 0.5% |
| Bachelors | 4.8% |
| Masters | 92.3% |
| Doctorate | 2.1% |
What Am I Worth?
The states that offer the highest salaries for Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) include California, District of Columbia, Colorado, Hawaii, and New Jersey. The salary range for SLPs typically falls between $84,690 and $102,990, with a median salary of $93,390, reflecting the competitive pay in these regions.
An undergraduate degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) is the most common pathway into graduate programs for audiology and speech-language pathology. With a starting salary around $84,690, and potential earnings reaching up to $102,990, pursuing this field can be financially rewarding. Ensure to check if your chosen institution offers a CSD major, as not all do.
The highest paying speech-language pathologist (SLP) roles are often found in specialized healthcare settings or private practice. Based on current salary data, SLPs can expect a salary range from $84,690 to $102,990, with the potential for higher earnings depending on experience and location.
Yes, being a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) can be financially rewarding. The salary range typically falls between $84,690 and $102,990 annually, with a median salary of $93,390. While some states, like California, may offer higher averages, SLPs generally enjoy a competitive salary across the profession.
A career in speech pathology is worth it, as it allows you to make a significant impact on the lives of individuals and their families. With salaries ranging from $84,690 to $102,990, the financial rewards are also appealing. Helping patients achieve their communication goals is a deeply fulfilling aspect of being an SLP.
Speech pathologists typically earn between $84,690 and $102,990, with a median salary of $93,390. In comparison, occupational therapists generally have higher earnings. Therefore, speech pathologists may earn less than occupational therapists based on these salary ranges.
Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)
With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.
